Last year marked a large shift in the world of data breaches. For the first time, Social Security Numbers were compromised more than credit cards. A staggering 16.7 million consumers were affected by identity fraud last year, an 8% increase over year-ago levels and the highest volume since Javelin Strategy & Research began their annual surveys in 2003. This fraud resulted in losses of $16.8 billion.

The Kiosk Industry Association financially supports the RetailROI Retail Orphan Initiative — We encourage all companies to contribute to the organization of their choice.

A Success Story – A Child That Should Have Been a Statistic

This is a brief story of Demetrius Napolitano, a young man who should have been a statistic. He grew up and was passed around 30 different foster homes. Today he is not only surviving but thriving…and adopted into a forever family at age 24. This is part of his story and we enjoyed having him speak at SuperSaturday 2018.

Doing More — A Success Story – A Child That Should Have Been a Statistic was last modified: February 15th, 2018 by News Editor

Congress Votes on H.R. 620 which impacts ADA kiosk

aka ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017

Update: The House passed the bill 2/15/2018 along party lines.

The ADA Education and Reform Act, or H.R.620, is slated to come up for a full vote in the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday or Thursday. But detractors say the bill would gut the part of the landmark ADA law which requires public businesses to make accommodations allowing for ease of entry for people with disabilities.

Something needs to be done about predatory lawyers for sure but this doesn’t do it. It basically drops the bar for companies a couple of notches and eliminates any legal action. Remains to be seen whether companies decide long term it is in their interest to deploy assistive infrastructure now, or later.

ADA lawsuits are already one of the lowest categories of lawsuits filed against businesses. The Center for American Progress has reported that the small uptick in ADA litigation can be attributed to “just 12 individual attorneys and a single disability law firm” which filed more than 100 cases each.

The likely outcome we predict is a vote along party lines in the house passes the bill and then it goes to the Senate where it will likely be blocked.

Another point of view: Seems it only adds a 180 window to the process of filing suit is all. You get 180 to make significant improvements. What determines significant vs. insignificant? So long as there is real money available through these lawsuits you’ll have trolls.

The entrance to the post office in a small town was up a flight of 20 steps. When told he needed to make the post office accessible to wheelchair users, the postmaster was befuddled. “I’ve been here for thirty-five years and in all that time I’ve yet to see a single customer come in here in a wheelchair,” he said, according to Joe Shapiro in his 1994 book, “No Pity.”

Tom Ridge R-PA Opinion piece from The Hill

Back in 1990, President Bush told the business community they hold in their hands the key to the success of the ADA, for it can “unlock a splendid resource of untapped human potential that, when freed, will enrich us all.” He characterized passage of the ADA as one of his proudest achievements. Let’s not undo that success.

TTom Ridge is founder and chairman of Ridge Global, as well as chair of theNational Organization on Disability, a position he has held since 2006. He was America’s first secretary of Homeland Security and the 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania.

Rep. Ted Poe R-TX (author of bill)

Passing H.R. 620 is good for all stakeholders. Simply having notice of claimed violations with a sufficient level of detail and the opportunity to cure within a limited time period prior to filing a lawsuit will eliminate the abusive tactics that have become commonplace.

Wheelchair-bound protesters dragged out of congressional hearing

Feb. 13, 2018, 7:37 PM WASHINGTON — Demonstrators interrupting a hearing in the House Rules Committee to protest reforms to the Americans with Disabilities Act were arrested and dragged out of the room inside the US Capitol on Tuesday.

Why Congress is Close to Gutting Key Provision of ADA

Pacific Standard 2/14/18 — Unscrupulous lawyers are a problem, so let’s work on sanctioning them. As Dara Baldwin says, “You got bad apples, go after the bad apples!” What shouldn’t happen is a legislative assault, fueled by donations from retail groups, on the fundamental right to equal access for people with disabilities.

CSA Healthcare Service Solutions – Partner in the Field

Infusion pumps have become commonplace equipments at major healthcare facilities around the world, using meticulous configurations at both software and hardware levels to administer precise amounts of fluid. Naturally, even minor defects can be a worrisome issue for both healthcare providers as well as the OEMs that manufacture them. Such was the case for a large healthcare organization, whose multiple deployments were erroneously configured. The OEM vendor knew that the products had to be recalled from the field but a full-scale field change order(FCO) for over 45,000 deployed instruments in just 12 months would have been a monumental task for the six field service engineers, who were already involved in the daily routine of servicing their customer base.

Fortunately, they had a long-standing partner in CSA Service Solutions, who stepped in to strategically break down the nationwide deployments into manageable geographical pieces and execute product recall quickly and efficiently. CSA has carved a niche for itself in offering cradle-to-grave services to healthcare OEMs and software vendors, ranging from installation, full project management, depot repair, logistics management, compliance, and validation, to expertise areas like on-site support, call centers, and product training.

Kiosk Speakers

Alex Doumani ex-Redbox Coinstar

We receive requests for kiosk speakers as well as content experts many times over the year. And example would be the upcoming Shanghai Vending and Kiosks show. They were looking for a speaker. Our candidate that we provided was Alex Doumani — former VP of Technology with Coinstar and Redbox.

Here is a list of some of the speakers and experts we can arrange for you. If you are looking for persons to interview for data research we can assist you there as well.

Speakers

Visionary executive with considerable experience providing thought leadership around customer engagement solutions; executive-level experience assisting companies in achieving both short-term business goals as well as strategic business results; strong skills in strategic planning, leadership, communications, and problem-solving; extensive experience streamlining processes to reduce costs while growing the business and improving the customer experience; substantial experience in the kiosk and self-service industry; significant experience leading industry discussion panels as well as speaking at various industry conferences; considerable executive level business facilitation experience including meetings, conference events, and classroom sessions.

Broad experience in the software, computing, communications, and automation industries, in a range of roles including technology leadership, program management, and management consulting. In addition to the technical focus, areas of expertise include business development, international experience (both Europe and Asia), start-up incubation, and Mergers and Acquisitions. Ex-Coinstar and ex-Redbox VP of Technology.

Twenty years in the self-service kiosk industry Peter served as VP of Sales for Kiosk Information Systems and Rick Malone. Major projects included Walmart and USPS. Has traveled and worked extensively in the Middle East.

I have a passion for technology and am highly skilled in the commercialization of the products that I have brought to the marketplace, with a knack at growing revenue paths for the companies I have been with. If I am leading or participating in a collaborative environment with all the shareholders on a project, I am not only doing what comes naturally, I am also doing what I enjoy the most.

I am a passionate entrepreneur focused on driving disruptive innovation at the intersection of: consumer, technology & retail. I have experience leading public and private companies both in the U.S. and Europe.

While working at Novartis I was recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year for developing a new business venture, which eventually became SoloHealth. After nearly two years incubating the business with the resources of Novartis, I acquired the Intellectual property and founded SoloHealth (now Pursuant Health).

SoloHealth is a healthcare services company which places self-service kiosks in high traffic retail environments. Since inception we have raised over $50M in capital including a $1.2M grant from the National Institute of Health. We have developed strategic partnerships with some of the largest companies in the world including Walmart, P&G, WellPoint, Johnson & Johnson, RedBox, Pfizer, Safeway, Vons and Sam’s Club. The Company has deployed SoloHealth Stations in over 3,800 locations nationwide and currently engages with more than 4,500,000 people per month. The Company is now focused on utilizing the SoloHealth platform, and national retail network, to help large employers manage the health of their population.

Prior to working at Novartis I was the Director of Sales for Peachtree Network, a successful Internet start-up based in Montreal, Canada. While there, the Company had an IPO on the Canadian Venture Exchange. I began my career with Kellogg’s in consumer marketing and sales.

Marie is known as the "Mother of Welcome" which is the patient check-in module for Epic in Madison, WI.

Experienced IT project manager and business analyst with a unique understanding of software and practical applications to facilitate and enhance business operations. Strong interest in product development as a means to resolve operational challenges and a creative problem solver with over 20 years of demonstrated achievements working with customers ranging greatly in size and complexity.

Retail & The Connected Consumer Marketplace, have been the focus of my career with Frank Mayer & Associates, Inc. I am proud of what we have developed, New Business Efforts, and Thought Leadership for the Merchandising of Omni-Channel Retail, and Introduction of, I of T, The Internet of Things, for our Clients. I enjoy the opportunity of collaborating with our Industry Professionals and Leveraging in New business efforts for, Location-based, and Digital marketing programs, Technology, Design & Manufacturing. These Team members, base their Talent on the Culture Legacy, of 85 years of Success and Innovation in the Retail Display sector and Integrated Marketing Programs. Our Goal at Frank Mayer & Associates, Inc., is to establish long-term relationships with our Clients by Meeting our Commitments and Exceeding our Clients’ Expectations, by Maximizing their Consumer Marketing Objectives!

Designed with the needs of integrators and end-users in mind, the DS-VW775-QR offers innovative, time-saving installation and maintenance features, including tool-less micro adjustment, easy hang wall plate, quick release mechanism, and reusable spacers for both portrait and landscape applications.

With the addition of tool-less lateral micro-adjustment, the DS-VW775-QR offers 1.5″ of fine tune adjustment on each of the X, Y, and Z axes. The mount also features prominently colored adjustment knobs that can be easily located by installers during set-up and future video wall maintenance visits. Plus, serviceability is easier than ever before with the press to release pop-out feature, providing quick and convenient access to a recessed display without searching for hidden pull strings. The gentle release mechanism requires less pressure to pop-out a display than other video wall mounts, giving peace of mind that the delicate pixel structure will not be damaged from pressing too hard on the display front.

Reusable spacers can be used for both portrait and landscape applications resulting in a faster and more cost-effective install. Enhanced cable management allows the cables to effortlessly travel in and out with the display, eliminating the chance of interfering with the mount, as well.

“As the leading digital signage mount manufacturer in the industry, our key focus has and continues to be creating solutions that ease installation and maintenance, while aiding our customers in developing eye-catching video walls,” said Nick Belcore, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Peerless-AV. “We are excited to introduce this latest evolution of our award-winning Supreme Mount, now available with a built-in quick release mechanism. We are confident that this addition will provide integrators and end-users with expanded options when implementing video walls.”

The standard version DS-VW775, launched in 2016, has the same feature set as the new DS-VW775-QR, but offers unique red pop-out levers above and below. When the mount is fully extended it offers an extra 2″ of service space from the wall compared to the SmartMount® Full-Service Video Wall Mount with Quick Release (DS-VW765-LQR/PQR).

Both Supreme models weigh significantly less than previous Peerless-AV video wall mounts. The DS-VW775-QR is 4.5lbs lighter and the DS-VW775 is 10lbs lighter than the DS-VW765-LQR Full-Service Video Wall Mount with Quick Release, for example. This makes these mounts even easier to handle and position, especially when combined with the installation app and reusable display-dedicated wall plate spacers. Using the easy hang keyhole adaptor plate, a single installer can simply hook the mount onto the wall, providing a hands-free environment to secure it – a valuable on-site time and cost saving feature.

The DS-VW775-QR and DS-VW775 support 46″ to 60″ displays with a maximum load of 56.8kg (125lbs) and VESA pattern up to 600 x 400. Included security hardware makes the DS-VW775-QR suitable for public environments to deter tampering and theft.

For over 75 years, passion and innovation continue to drive Peerless-AV forward. We proudly design and manufacture the highest quality products, ranging from outdoor displays to complete kiosk solutions, digital signage mounts to wireless systems. Whether a full-scale global deployment or custom project, Peerless-AV develops meaningful relationships and delivers world-class service. In partnership with Peerless-AV, you are trusting an award-winning team of experts who will support your business every step of the way. For more information, visit peerless-av.com.

The China International Vending Show 2018 is Now Ready to Showcase the Newest Self-service Technologies and Products to the World

The China International Self-service, Kiosk and Vending Show (CVS) 2018 is the place to get all of the resources you require to achieve your business goals and to fulflil the needs of the entire convenience services industry.

At this premier event – the second largest in the world – you’ll discover new technologies, products and services from nearly 200 exhibitors, understand how to leverage emerging trends, and build a powerful network of industry allies to grow your businesses.

With our successful history and professional approach, the CVS continues to attract many domestic and foreign mainstream exhibitors.

It’s more than just machines though: We aim to present the newest technologies, host the most valuable tech communication forums and launch an international premium event with the largest influence in the self-service and vending industry.

Retailing WorldRetailing World is a tailor-made thematic exhibition that’s specially designed for the retail industry. This Pavilion hosts of five sectors including chain stores, retail design and equipment, self-service and devices, cleaning, and property management. Activities like road shows for brands, matchmaking for exhibitors and buyers, International retailing forums, the World Self-service Terminals Summit, and many others, will take place during the exhibition.

Additional Pavilions

There are three other thematic pavilions running concurrently: Hotel Supplies, Commercial Space and Leisure Boating. All these four pavilions together make up an integrated and comprehensive one-stop exhibition for commercial properties known as Hotel Plus (Hotelex Shanghai Phase II) in the Shanghai New Expo Center, which has a total exhibition area of 200,000 sqm. Debuted on April 26, 2017, the Exhibition accepted more than 2,000 corporate participants from 120 countries and recorded 136,622 visits over four days. Attendees were from various industries including self-service/vending, boating, hospitality, real estate, manufacturing, engineering, technology, importing/exporting, entertainment, agriculture and many others.

Innovation and Inspiration

This year, we are hosting more exhibitors and expecting even more entrepreneurs who are looking for business opportunities. The once-yearly CVS is the first choice platform that easily helps them to explore the retail market, to analyze the latest market trends, to display the most up-to-date product information, and to collaborate on industrial insights regarding cutting-edge technology and relative services.

The 15th China Vending and Self-Service Show runs from 26th to 28th April 2018 (9am – 5:30pm). N4, Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai, China

Is the Connected Consumer Getting Overloaded?

How in-store merchandising displays can help brands deliver a clear message through the noise

Last month, a common theme ran through both the International Consumer Electronics Show and the National Retail Federation’s annual event – technology is in the driver’s seat.

We’re the culture of the connected. A whopping 77% of Americans now own a smartphone(1), while 79% own a smart home device(2). This means the majority of us have grown accustomed to a full-time personal assistant who not only reorders the paper towels, but can also provide good references when we’re contemplating the space-time continuum.

This societal shift toward expecting instant information and ease from our brands has been well-documented lately, and those businesses and retailers who have embraced this way of connecting have shown success in the new retail landscape. Look around, and you’ll find more companies offering Instagram-able shopping experiences, hyper-personalized product suggestions, and frictionless checkout capabilities.

But with this new clarity of how shoppers want to receive information comes a new question – is our valued consumer undergoing information overload?

With the speed of new electronics and smart home products hitting the market, it’s easy to assume these advances are causing confusion for customers who are busy deciphering how something works and why it’s needed to enhance their lives.

It’s been argued that the average person is exposed to nearly 5,000 brand messages a day. It’s no wonder this abundance of communication has caused tunnel vision in our weary shopper who has reached the point of saturation as his retail aisles have become cluttered with marketing.

So how do brands cut through the commotion and deliver an easily navigable message about their products? Smart in-store merchandising is your answer.

Like those same businesses and retailers shifting their marketing tactics to keep ahead of the technological curve, the industry of in-store merchandising has experienced its own progression.

Static displays are being reimagined to include video loops, audio features and interactive functions. Interactive kiosks have revolutionized the definition of service. More and more, these “Display 2.0s” not only sell your product, but communicate in this new language of which connected customers are now fluent.

A merchandising display company’s ultimate responsibility is to help a client educate the consumer and cultivate brand familiarity by creating an environment that leads the shopper through the desired path of awareness, trial, purchase and loyalty.

Correct merchandising needs to separate itself from the excess messaging bombarding that fatigued shopper we profiled, and a skilled point of purchase display provider can offer the strategies to instill this clarity and allow the merchandise to be a beacon to the target buyer.

In short, by using effective merchandising, your brand can disrupt a shopper’s path and deliver a concise message about your product in a way that resonates with the modern consumer. And with the rapid pace of smart products available to the public, it’s vital to ensure your communication is heard above the rest.

Nice article. Still, the devil is in the details. Salespeople with mobiles searching inventory is dependent on accurate and well-labeled inventory. Being able to identify what is actually on the shelf (and where) is required. Add in trying to identify if the other store down the street has it is even worse.

NRF2018 – How Target, Kroger And Design Within Reach Are Tapping Tech To Improve Your Shopping Trip was last modified: February 9th, 2018 by Kiosk Industry

“We’re seeing two big trends. Our clients are looking for outdoor kiosk applications and the locker system, which can be used indoors or outdoors,” said Rebecca Swibes, Meridian marketing specialist.

Lockers can be deployed in a variety of settings and are picking up speed in the marketplace alongside mobile ordering, which is on the rise. Potential clients include fast food establishments, pharmacies and grocer applications, plus unattended equipment rentals, short-term real estate key pickup and drop-off, and similar services for auto repair and vehicle rental agencies.

Meridian Taking Tech to Next Level for Kiosk Business | Business | thepilot.com was last modified: February 7th, 2018 by Kiosk Industry

Caught in the Wild – Subway Drive Thru Kiosk

Hello folks! Please help me congratulate Tara Hill and her staff for her implementation of our World’s Fastest Drive Thru™ Solution at her brand new Fresh Forward SUBWAY® Restaurant located in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, CA. What a beautiful location that she has there! This is our third Canadian location with our solution(with more to come) and Nova Scotia is definitely a hot zone for Drive Thru for SUBWAY®. With the new generation of consumers, this type of technology is needed and creates one of the most positive experiences(and very profitable) for Drive Thru ordering! Please, if you’re in the area, please stop by for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

In The Wild – Subway Drive-Thru Self-Order System was last modified: February 2nd, 2018 by News Editor